Flax extracts, processes, compositions and methods and uses thereof

Abstract

The disclosure provides a process of obtaining a simplified flax extract by water extraction followed by mechanical extraction. The disclosure further provides compositions comprising the flax extract produced by the process and methods and uses thereof for treating parasitic infections and inflammatory conditions.

1 . A process of obtaining a flax extract having anti-parasitic and/or anti-inflammatory activity comprising subjecting flax seeds to a water extraction process followed by a mechanical extraction process and purifying the liquid therefrom. 
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  comprising:
 a) washing flax seeds; 
 b) subjecting the washed flax seeds to the water extraction process; 
 c) removing the water soluble fraction; 
 d) subjecting the extracted seeds of c) to the mechanical extraction process; and 
 e) purifying the liquid from d). 
 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the flax seeds are washed in (a) in water at a temperature of 20 to 70° C. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the seeds are washed at a ratio of 1:10 to 1:2 w/v seeds:water. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the water extraction is carried out at a temperature of 20 to 120° C. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the water extraction process is carried out at about 110-120° C. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the water extraction process is carried out at a ratio of 1:100 to 1:4 w/v seeds to water. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the water extraction process is repeated multiple times before the mechanical extraction process. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical extraction process comprises mechanical shear force mixing, homogenization, microfluidization, physical grinding, ultrasonic-assisted extraction or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical extraction process is performed at a ratio of 1:100 to 1:20 w/v seeds to water. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the water extraction process is repeated at least once after the mechanical extraction process prior to purifying the liquid in e). 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is purified by subjecting the seeds to centrifugation, gravity sedimentation and/or filtration and collecting the liquid therefrom. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 1  comprising:
 a) washing flax seeds; 
 b) subjecting the washed flax seeds to a subcritical water extraction process; 
 c) removing the water soluble fraction; 
 d) subjecting the extracted seeds of c) to mechanical shear force grinding; 
 e) subjecting the ground seeds of d) to the ultrasonic-assisted extraction; and 
 f) purifying the liquid from e). 
 
     
     
         18 . A feed or food stuff, pharmaceutical composition or a food supplement composition, comprising the flax extract produced by the process of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for treating a parasitic infection in an animal in need thereof comprising administering the feed or food stuff, pharmaceutical composition or a food supplement composition of  claim 18  to the animal in need thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the parasitic infection is a coccidial infection, a trichomoniasis infection or a capillarial infection. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method of treating a inflammatory condition, disease or disorder in an animal in need thereof comprising administering the feed or food stuff, pharmaceutical composition or a food supplement composition of  claim 18  to the animal in need thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the inflammatory condition, disease or disorder affects the integument, stomach or intestine of the animal. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the inflammatory condition, disease or disorder is an inflammatory bowel lesion, necrotic enteritis, or skin lesions. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the animal is an agricultural animal, a zoo animal, a domestic animal or a companion animal. 
     
     
         28 .- 31 . (canceled)